Auxiliary handrail for use along stairways

ABSTRACT

An auxiliary handrail apparatus for use along a stairway is disclosed. The apparatus includes a pivot support fixed to an existing handrail or other support structure in the proximity of an existing handrail to allow positioning of the auxiliary handrail in two positions.  
     In the first position, the auxiliary handrail is not in use. The auxiliary handrail is then in a vertically collapsed, or relaxed, position that brings the handrail into a position substantially underneath the supporting handrail, which, in turn, leaves the stair way to approximately its full width.  
     The second position is such that the auxiliary handrail is rotated upward to within the range of 18 to 25 inches from a second, fixed position handrail disposed opposite the auxiliary handrail along the stairway. The distance of 18 to 25 inches depends upon the width of the hallway or stair well and the length of the side arms of the auxiliary handrail. The distance may well be greater or less than this.  
     While there may be any number of ways to support the auxiliary handle in the horizontal position where it is ready to be used, a way we chose to do this is by attaching a pivoting support leg to the approximate midpoint of the auxiliary handrail. When the auxiliary handrail is rotated up to the horizontal, the support leg is then rotated down to support the auxiliary handrail as is shown.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This application claims priority to Provisional Aplication No. 60/217,729 filed Jul. 12, 2000. Said application is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The invention relates to structures aiding handicapped mobility within buildings and more particularly to a pivoting auxiliary handrail for use along stairwells in building.

[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0005] Those who are movement impaired often encounter difficulty climbing and descending stairs. Movement impaired individuals frequently place both hands on one handrail and creep up or down the stairway in a sidewise or crab-like fashion. This deliberate motion adds to difficulties in-moving up and down the stairs in that it is an unnatural way of walking and impairs the individual's ability to see where they are placing their feet.

[0006] In addition, should the person lose her balance, she will find herself pivoting around the point on the rail on which she has placed her hands, making it more difficult for the person to break or otherwise prevent a potentially serious fall.

[0007] A common solution to this problem is to provide a second handrail. Another solution is to simply stop using the steps and (or), perhaps, move one's bed to the living room.

[0008] Providing a second handrail can be an excellent solution if the stairway is narrow enough, and the individual using the stairs has the proper upper body strength. However, as people age, upper body strength diminishes rapidly. In addition, due to lack of upper body strength, physical size, or both, not all people are capable of supporting themselves effectively on two handrails situated 30 or more inches apart. This invention allows the individual to use handrails that are positioned in the range of 18″ to 26″ apart. This distance essentially allows one to support herself on rails that are almost directly beneath the shoulders, and hence in a much better location for one to support herself in ascending or descending stairs.

[0009] In addition, climbing stairs is excellent exercise if one can do it safely. This device, if properly mounted, has the ability to prevent a simple slip from turning into the headover-heels type of stairway fall that puts people in a hospital bed, perhaps permanently, or worse.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention consists of a handrail support system for use along a stairway. The support system includes a pair of parallel handrails disposed opposite one another along the stairway. At least one of the pair of handrails supports an auxiliary handrail that hangs beneath it on pivots.

[0011] The auxiliary handrail positioning structure includes a pivot secured to a pre-existing handrail or wall disposed along one side of the stairway. The lower pivot supports a strut mechanism that is pivotable in a plane perpendicular into and out of the wall. The handrail is supported on the outer end of the strut structure away from the pivoted end. In our case, we have chosen to combine the struts and the auxiliary handrail into one part by simply bending a tube into a “U” shape.

[0012] Movement of the strut structure causes the auxiliary handrail to rotate out and up into a certain maximum position. Appropriate disposition of the support brace positions the handrail at a desired point for grasping by an individual user. This position is determined by the desired distance between the positionable auxiliary handrail and a fixed handrail so that the intended user can easily grasp and support themselves between the two handrails when navigating a stairway. Adistinct advantage of the system exists even when it is not in use, but extended. If the user is carrying something (for instance, a load of clothes) on a stairway and trips, these handrails provide something to grab hold of in order to prevent a serious, perhaps fatal, fall.

[0013] An advantage and feature of the invention is that when the auxiliary handrail is in the unused position, the support member is held in place by the underlying auxiliary handrail and when the auxiliary handrail is raised to the use position the support member automatically falls into position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an auxiliary handrail support system disposed in the relaxed position.

[0015]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an auxiliary handrail support system in a position whereby it is ready to use.

[0016]FIG. 3 is a side view of the auxiliary handrail as it hangs suspended in the unused position. The object of this view and the blow up areas is to show more detail of the hinge area for the handrail itself and, also to show more detail of the support tube (or rod) that restrains the auxiliary handrail in the elevated position when it is in use.

[0017]FIG. 4 is a view from the top of the stairways looking down at an angle with the stair rail illustrating the positioning of the auxiliary handrail showing the positions of the axis of the pivots.

[0018]FIG. 5 is a side view of the hand rail in the unused relaxed position showing the pivot axis positions.

[0019]FIG. 6 is a side view of the handrail in the use positon showing the positions of the pivot axis.

[0020]FIG. 6 is a side view of the handrail showing the pivot axis

DETAILED DESCRIPTON OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021]FIG. 1 illustrates a handrail support system 10 disposed along the stairway 12 in the relaxed or unused position.

[0022] Handrail 11 is mounted on wall 13 by conventional supports 14 and, which are fastened to wall 13 by appropriate fasteners. The auxiliary handrail struts 16 are supported beneath handrail 11 by a hinge (or pivot) bracket 17 and pin 24. In this case, the auxiliary handrail struts 16, and the auxiliary handrail 18, are combined together as one part by simply bending a tube into a “U” shape. The “U” shaped tube auxiliary handrail 18 and strut 16 are shown hanging vertically underneath the standard handrail 11 and in the unused mode.

[0023] Handrail support tube 20 is shown attached to a hinge bracket 21 that is in turn attached to the approximate midpoint of the auxiliary handrail 18. The handrail support tube 20 is shown in its relaxed or unused position parallel to and resting upon the auxiliary handrail 18.

[0024]FIG. 2 illustrates a handrail support system 10 disposed along the stairway 12 and ready for use by a handicapped, or otherwise temporarily or permanently, physically challenged individual user 22. The individual user 22 supports himself between the appropriately spaced handrails 18 and 19 while ascending (or descending) stairway 12.

[0025] Handrail 11 is mounted on wall 13 by conventional supports 14 and, which are fastened to wall 13 by appropriate fasteners. The auxiliary handrail struts 16 are supported beneath handrail 11 by a hinge (or pivot) bracket 17 and pin 24. In this case, the auxiliary handrail struts 16, and the auxiliary handrail 18, are combined together as one part by simply bending a tube into a “U” shape (16 and 18).

[0026] The support tube 20 is shown extended and limited to an approximate right angle to the auxiliary handrail tube 18. In this position, it provides support for the auxiliary handrail 18 in the extended, or functioning, position.

[0027]FIG. 3. Illustrates a side view of the auxiliary handrail 18 as it hangs suspended from a standard handrail 11 and in its relaxed or unused position.

[0028] Detail 3A shows the hinge bracket 17 that is connected to the strut 16 by means of a pin 24 that in turn is connected to the fixed handrail 11 by means of two fasteners 25. These fasteners 25 could be either wood screws or small machine screws fitted into proper receptacles.

[0029] Detail 3B shows the pivoting support leg 20 attached at the approximate midpoint of the auxiliary handrail by way of a hinge. The hinge 21 also serves to prevent the pivoting support leg 20 from rotating down further than enough beyond 90 degrees from the auxiliary handrail and to prevent it from collapsing back when a load is put upon it by the user. In this position, the rubber or elastomer foot 22 keeps the bottom of the support leg 20 from slipping.

[0030]FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 illustrate the positions of the axis of the hinges and pivots with al being the axis of the hinge between the mail existing handrail and the support strut of the auxiliary handrail and a2 being the axis of the hinge between the support member and the auxiliary handrail. A1 is always substantially parallel to the existing handrail. In the nonuse position, a2 is at approximately a 45 degree angle to the wall and then rotates to an additional 90 degrees from the wall. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An auxiliary handrail structure comprising: means to be supported on a fixed support with a pivot axis; strut means mounted on the pivot means for pivoting up and away from a vertical position underneath said fixed support; a handrail supported on the strut means; support leg (or legs) means attached to the auxiliary handrail to provide support to restrain handrail in a horizontal position in such manner as to create a set of handrail supports consisting of it and an existing handrail on the opposite side of the stairway.
 2. The handrail positioning structure of claim 1 wherein the struts and the auxiliary handrail are combined into one part consisting of a tube bent into an approximate “U” shape.
 3. The handrail positioning structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein the upper pivot means comprises a plurality of axially aligned hinges.
 4. The handrail positioning structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein the strut means comprises a plurality of parallel struts, each strut having an inner end pivotally connected a hinge and an outer end connected to a movable handrail.
 5. The handrail positioning structure of claim 4, wherein the handrail is supported on the outer ends of each of the plurality of struts.
 6. The handrail positioning structure of claim 1 wherein the auxiliary handrail is laterally displaced a predetermined distance from the fixed support when the strut means is in the maximum pivoted position.
 7. The handrail positioning structure of claim 1 and further comprising means for releasably holding the struts means in the extended position.
 8. The handrail positioning structure of claim 1 and further comprising a means for releasably holding the strut means in the maximum pivoted position.
 9. A handrail support system for use along a stairway, the support system comprising: a pair of parallel handrails disposed opposite on another along the stairway; and at least one of the pair of handrails being laterally positionable with respect to the other handrail on a handrail positioning structure having: pivot means to be supported on a fixed support with an upper pivot axis, strut means mounted on the pivot means for pivoting away and up from a vertical position beneath said fixed support,
 10. The handrail support system of claim 9 wherein the laterally positionable handrail is displaced between 18 and 26 inches from the nondisplaced handrail when the handrail positioning structure for the displaced handrail is in the maximum pivoted position.
 11. An auxiliary handrail system as desribed and illustrated herein. 